Rep. Jackson: I did nothing wrong but 'deeply sorry' over 'social acquaintance'

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) said Tuesday he is “deeply sorry” for having “disappointed some supporters” regarding his relationship with a female “social acquaintance.”

But the congressman vowed to stay in office in the wake of a Chicago Sun-Times report that a major political fund-raiser has told federal authorities that Jackson directed him to offer former Gov. Rod Blagojevich millions of dollars in campaign cash in return for an appointment for Jackson to the U.S. Senate, to succeed President Obama.

The allegation by Oak Brook businessman Raghuveer Nayak regarding fund-raising runs counter to public statements Jackson has made as recently as last week that he never authorized any deal to attempt to trade campaign cash for the Senate appointment, which ultimately went not to Jackson but to Sen. Roland Burris.

“The allegations about fund-raising and the Senate seat are not new,” Jackson said in a written statement. “I’ve already talked with the authorities about these claims, told them they were false, and no charges have been brought against me.

Read more: http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2732904,jackson-responds-to-sun-times-story-092210.article

[seattleblue]

1. I am disappointed in Jesse, Jr.

I thought he had great potential to become the next mayor after Daley. He did not have the baggage that his father carried. He seems to have blown it with the Senate manipulations. He recently said to the feds to "Come after me if they have something". I imagine they will take up his challenge.

[merqz]

2. Isn't being crooked and having major baggage

a REQUIREMENT for Chicago mayor? Frankly, it sounds like he needs MORE proof of hardcore corruption to qualify for such a position.

I mean, seriously...

[mallard]

10. Whether or not the assumed mistress ...

... or her possible handlers may have had 'influence' in mind, they certainly seem to have made a huge dent in Jesse's future upward mobility options.

Fair to say, he wishes it had never happened. Fair to surmise: this was the oldest con in the book.

[zbdent]

3. if he switched party to Republican, all would be forgiven.

Hell, they'd even raise money for significantly bumping up the percentage of the Republican Party's "diversity" ...

[Rebubula]

5. Don't fool yourself...

...there are plenty of people with D's that will be rushing to forgive and forget this 'transgression'....

[littlewolf]

11. didn't his dad have the same problem but kept his lady on the PUSH payroll as hush money?

[Freddie Stubbs]

15. And the organization paid $15,000 for her moving expenses:

http://edition.cnn.com/2001/US/02/01/jackson.money/index.html

[zbdent]

19. true ... but the media won't let it slide since it's a D ...

what liberal media?

[PoliticAverse]

4. “social acquaintance.”?

“social acquaintance.”? I can't keep up with all the euphemisms being used in politics these days...

[DeadEyeDyck]

6. hooker, I would assume n/t

[guruoo]

14. Photo...

[dogfacedboy]

7. LMAO!

[Francesca9]

13. You are right, "a female “social acquaintance" is funny

[dogfacedboy]

8. I gotta give Jackson a big F YOU. I really thought he was one of the good guys.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

9. A congressman had extramarital sex? Oh, my!

It makes for a good headline, even if the story is all about corruption between Jackson and Blagojovich.

I guess attempting to buy a Senate seat is just not sexy enough for the papers.

Anyway, Jackson denied everything: "I did not have bribery with that man"

:hi:

[Freddie Stubbs]

12. But he may have violated House Rules by accepting a gift and not reporting it

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

18. He was "gifted" the woman?

Like buying your buddy a lap dance at the local "gentlemen's club"? That's the gift?

If it's the money to buy the Senate seat, then again the headline is misleading and just there because "sex sells".

:hi:

[Francesca9]

16. If he did nothing wrong - why apologize?

I suppose that he means that he is sorry that he got caught.

[slackmaster]

17. ...